Hakob Arshakyan gives an opening speech at Energy Week Armenia 2023 event: Energetics is basis of industrial development, prosperity, economic progress, security and sovereignty of states
The RA NA Vice President Hakob Arshakyan gave an opening speech at the Energy Week Armenia 2023 event on November 28.
In his welcoming speech, the RA NA Vice President expressed his conviction that in Armenia, as in the whole world, there is great interest in the energy sector. According to him, energetics is the basis of industrial development, people’s well-being, economic progress, security and sovereignty of states.
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Speaking about the priorities of the Government’s activity programme for 2021-2026, the NA Vice President noted that the policy in the energy sector will be aimed at increasing the level of energy independence and security, ensuring a reliable and quality supply of electricity and gas.
“Until 2040, the energy sector development strategy outlines Armenia’s vision in the field of energy development, which is anchored in free competition and non-discriminatory, with a high level of inclusive and diversified energy independence, clean and energy-saving, digitalized and innovative, knowledge-based and high-tech, predictable and transparent, on the principles of accessible and fair for all,” Hakob Arshakyan underlined and added that as a result of the reforms implemented within the framework of the strategy, with the help of the online platform launched in 2022, electricity consumers in Armenia are given the opportunity to independently choose the supplier, sign a contract and trade.
According to the NA Vice President’s assessment, this is an important reform of energy market liberalization. New opportunities have been created for investors and electricity producers: Now, the market is free, those who want can produce, export and import electricity from Armenia.
Hakob Arshakyan mentioned that with another state programme it is possible to install individual solar systems worth up to 10 million drams under preferential conditions (0-5% loans from banks). In this context, the NA Vice President emphasized the raising of the level of awareness of citizens especially in the border communities.
Referring to the support programmes, the NA Vice President pointed out. “As a result of the reforms regarding the exchange of electricity through autonomous power producers, households, solar panels, if in 2018 we had 784 systems, now there are more than 10.000 autonomous producers. It is, of course, an impressive index, but we need to work in this direction as well.”
According to the NA Vice President, the key to the sustainable development of Armenia’s electricity sector is the economically justified, efficient and responsible use of renewable energy potential, the development of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, the regional integration of the electric power system, the diversification of energy supply channels and forms, the introduction of energy efficiency and energy saving measures, the digital energy transformation. All the steps are aimed at this, including improvement of the legislative framework, predictable tariff policy, work with the investors. According to Hakob Arshakyan, a comfortable environment is created for investments in the energy sector, as a result of which the level of energy security and independence of the country increases even more. “Sustainable energy is one of the most important keys to economic development aimed at improving people’s lives and raising the living standards,” Hakob Arshakyan stated and wished success to the participants of the event.
The President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, the RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, the Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission Garegin Baghramyan, the Mission Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) of Armenia John Allelo gave a welcome speech.
During five days in Yerevan, Tsaghkadzor, Gyumri and Dilijan, the achievements and the development prospects of the sector, the trends of liberalization of the electricity market, the sector reforms and the implemented policies, the created legal and economic environment, issues regarding the sustainable energy development of the communities, climate change, institutional reforms, renewable energy development prospects and other sectoral issues will be discussed.
National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia